Improvement in toys



A. E. HUTCHKISS.

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'm llllllWmll/ll ARTHUR E. HOTCHKISS, OF CHESHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO FRIEND W. SMITH AND FREDRICK EGGE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l59,92, dated February 16, 1875 g application filed December 28, 1874.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. Horonxiss, of Cheshire, in the county of New Haven and Sta-te of Connecticut, have invented certain Improvements in Mechanical rloys, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specitication:

I construct a. small wooden box about one and a half inch square, and about four inches in length, having one end open. I make, also, from wood or other suitable material, the form or image of a mouse, full size, to be operated in combination with the box, as specifically set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure I is a section showing my invention. Figs. II and III are side elevations showing my invention in operation.

a represents an artificial mouse in a box, b. c is a case set into the under side ofthe body. d and c are small axle-trees passing through it at right angles, on both ends of which are wheels to support and carry the mouse when in motion. f is a spiral spring in the front end of a cylinder, which passes lengthwise through the case, but is reduced in size at g. h is the tail, constructed to act in the cylinder against the springf. iis a small collar on the tail to prevent the spring from forcing it too far outward when in operation. k is a notch in the underside of the case to aid in securing the molise to the box preparatory to operating' the device by means of a trigger, l, which is pivoted to and passes through the bottom of the box. m is a small spring to render the trigger automatic in entering the notch when the mouse is forced into the box. It will be seen that the trigger l is fixed at a suitable distance from the back end of the box, so that when the mouse has been forced into the box, and the trigger has lodged in the notch k to hold the mouse in place, the tail has beeD pushed inwardly until the spring f is coinpressed. It will also be seen that, while in this position, if the box be placed on the floor, the front end will be elevated and will rest upon the lower end of the trigger; hence, to operate the device, only a slight pressure upon the box is necessary, and the mouse, being shot out by the spring, will run lively over the oor.

Fig. II represents the mouse upon leaving the box. Fig. III shows the corresponding position of the box and trigger.

It is obvious that, in place ofthe mouse, some other artificial quadruped might be substituted, and that the spring f, instead of being placed in the body of the animal, might be secured to the inside of the box, and the device be made to operate on the saine principle but I have fixed upon the above as the best construction.

The mechanism of the mouse I have represented as being all contained in a small case, which I malte of metal. IThen thus constructed it will be seen that the body may be made from softer material.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim isl l. In the artificial mouse a, the tail h and spring f, as described.

2. The tail hand spring f, in combination with the axle-trees d and e, with wheels, substantiall)7 as described.

3. The tail la, spring f, axle-trees d and e, with wheels, and notch k, in combination with box b and trigger l, substantially as described and set forth herein.

ARTHUR E. HOTCHKISS.

Vitnesses:

F. W. WoRrHiNeroN, RoBr. MAGRUDER. 

